When Adore and Tremble first came out, I had this idea to contact a few people, who have interacted in the worship genre a good bit, that I thought might consider reviewing my CD. One of the guys I wrote was Aaron Niequist. He has served at some really well known churches, recently as the worship leader at Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids Michigan. Aaron was so gracious to write a really nice review for Adore and Tremble. It meant so much coming from such an accomplished artist.
About a month later, Aaron released a CD, and I was able to get a copy of it. I had the intention of writing a review for it then, but got so busy finishing out the school year that it just didn’t happen. So I thought I’d take this Positive Post Tuesday to talk some about Aaron’s CD.
The CD is called “With Broken Fists.” It’s a collection of songs that Aaron has used for corporate worship for the last few years at Mars Hill. There are even a few songs on the CD that were recorded live at the church (”All Sing Hallelujah,” “Bend my Knees”).
The cool thing to me is that this CD sounds nothing like any other worship album that I’ve ever heard. It actually really reminds me of a indie rock album….like The National or something (actually a lot like The National, except for the deep voice).
The songs have these elements that you never see coming, like horns on “Already Here” and “Here are my Hands”….almost Sufjanish. One of my favorite things about the CD is the choir vocals that come in on the bridge of the opening song, “Resistance.” It is a beautiful song about the struggle that Christians find themselves in. We’re a part of a world that is fallen and hurting, but we have these glimpses of hope that remind us of a future with Christ, when things will be made right. This seems to be the message of the CD… that in Christ we have been changed and see a small glimmer of change happening around us. But this change in us causes us to look at all the hurt around us and say “how long.”
The first four songs have such longing to them, so when you get to the fifth song, “Changed,” it’s like you’re ready to go over a hill in a roller coaster. “Changed” has such a beautifully accessible melody….my favorite of the CD.
Aaron does a phenomenal job of expressing expectant hope. This is certainly a bold CD, considering the type of music that most worship songs are set to these days. Aaron is a great writer and musician, and I’m excited to hear how these songs find their way into corporate worship.
You can buy With Broken Fists on itunes, and here at CD baby.
Also, go check out Aaron’s website and blog.
*This post is a part of Positive Post Tuesday
